Irish Traditional Music: The Homecoming (Ireland)

"The music. Button box wizard Paddy O'Brien gets it. Really gets it."

Irish Music Magazine

"A singer of passion, grace and striking presence; she seems to personify both past and present."

Irish Examiner on Susan McKeown

"Music that lives and breathes in the wider world."

Q Magazine

Susan McKeown, voice
Paddy O'Brien, accordion
Cillian Vallely, Uilleann pipes, low whistle
Aidan Brennan, guitar

Forget all the hype about the Irish Brand - Aidan Brennan, Susan McKeown, Paddy O'Brien and Cillian Vallely are the real deal. All four left Ireland to ply their musical trade in the United States in the 1980s and 90s. They went, they played and they conquered.

Where to start? Famed for his encyclopedic knowledge of trad tunes, accordion maestro Paddy made his mark with the legendary Shanachie trio and continues to spread the Gaelic gospel with his highly-acclaimed groups Chulrua and The Doon Céilí Band.

Vocalist Susan McKeown hit the ground running with her debut album Bones in 1995. Eleven albums on she has a Grammy under her belt and list of collaborators that reads likes a who's who: Natalie Merchant, Pete Seeger, Linda Thompson, Billy Bragg, Arlo Guthrie, The Klezmatics and Andy Irvine.

Fellow Dubliner Aidan Brennan is a go-to guy on the Portland, Oregon trad scene who's also worked with the likes of Martin Hayes, Emer Maycock, Johnny Cunningham, Loreena McKennitt as well as touring with Riverdance, while Armagh-born piper Cillian Vallely has appeared with fiddler Seamus Connolly, New York-based band Whirligig and on Tim O'Brien's The Crossing. Oh yes, and he's also a member of Celtic supergroup Lúnasa.

Irish Traditional Music: The Homecoming (Ireland)

Tour Dates

Wednesday 13 Jan, Bray

Thursday 14 Jan, Thurles

Friday 15 Jan, Kerry

  • Tech Amergin, Waterville
  • 8:00 PM, €15 / €12
  • 066 9478956
  • Promoted by Tech Amergin
  • www.techamergin.com

Saturday 16 Jan, Limerick

  • St. John's Church, Knockkainey
  • 8:30 PM, €10
  • 087 6803087
  • Promoted by Limerick County Council (together with Knockainey Historical & Conservation Society)

Sunday 17 Jan, New Ross

  • St. Mary's Church
  • 3:30 PM, €15 / €8 (students only)
  • 051 421766
  • Promoted by Music for New Ross

Tuesday 19 Jan, Dublin

  • The Coach House, Dublin Castle
  • 8:00 PM, €15 / €10 / €40 (Family)
  • 01 6719429
  • Promoted by Music Network
  • www.musicnetwork.ie

Wednesday 20 Jan, Moate

  • Tuar Ard Arts Centre
  • 8:30 PM, €12 / €10
  • 090 6482042
  • Promoted by Tuar Ard Arts Centre
  • www.tuarard.ie

Thursday 21 Jan, Castlebar

  • Linenhall Arts Centre
  • 8:00 PM, €15 / €12
  • 094 9023733
  • Promoted by Linenhall Arts Centre
  • www.thelinenhall.com

Friday 22 Jan, Ballyshannon

Saturday 23 Jan, Clifden

  • Station House Theatre
  • 8:00 PM, €12 / €10
  • 095 21699
  • Promoted by Clifden Arts Society